Benefits of government schemes available even without Aadhaar; Voter ID or license also accepted

The Delhi government has implemare ented various schemes for the general public. To facilitate access to these, a digital record of beneficiaries will be created. While Aadhaar can be used for verification, providing it is not mandatory.

Every state government introduces various schemes for its residents, enabling them to avail of financial and other forms of subsidies. Similarly, the Delhi government runs several such schemes. The administration is now developing a new plan for beneficiaries of these schemes, which will consolidate all their documents onto a single platform. To this end, the government has approved the 'Unified Citizen Data Platform.'

This initiative was previously announced by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and the Department of Information Technology has now issued an official notification regarding it. The objective of this system is to ensure that the benefits of government schemes reach the intended recipients and to prevent the same individual from being registered multiple times as a beneficiary across different schemes.

What will this new platform achieve?

The Delhi government aims to create a digital record that centralizes information about beneficiaries of various government schemes. This will allow the government to track which individual is availing of which scheme. Furthermore, it will minimize the risk of the same person claiming government assistance multiple times or through improper means. The government believes this will enhance transparency and ensure that aid effectively reaches those who are truly in need.

Aadhaar card is not mandatory

Under this new system, the use of an Aadhaar card is entirely optional. The government must obtain the individual's consent before using Aadhaar for identity verification. If an individual chooses not to undergo verification via Aadhaar—or is unable to do so for any reason—they will still remain eligible to receive the benefits of government services or schemes.

Other Documents Will Also Be Accepted

If an individual does not wish to verify their identity using Aadhaar, they may use other government-issued identification documents, such as a Voter ID card, driving license, passport, etc. Additionally, any other photo identity document issued by the central or state government may also be submitted, provided that prior notification is given.

Relief for the Public

This new system will help consolidate records for various Delhi government schemes in one place. It will prevent fraudulent beneficiaries and ensure that a single individual cannot claim benefits from multiple schemes. Importantly, for the general public, Aadhaar verification is not mandatory. Therefore, even if you do not possess an Aadhaar card, you can still avail the benefits of all these schemes.